The Armed Citizen® July 21, 2017

by
posted on July 21, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ac2009_fs.jpg (5)

A Virginia mother and her 7-year-old son were out collecting trash for the boy’s Cub Scout project when two pit bulls started menacing them along the road. To protect her son, the woman told the child to go home. Although the boy screamed as the dogs charged, his yelling did not scare off the animals. They lunged at the woman, dragged her into a ditch and tore at her body, causing severe injury. The woman’s landlord, a concealed-carry permit holder, happened by and saw the attack. In a letter to “The Armed Citizen,” he said he fired his gun, sending one of the canines scurrying off, then shot again at the one that stayed behind and was still attacking the woman. A friend of the woman arrived and administered first aid until the medics arrived. The woman was flown to a Richmond hospital with severe injuries, while her son suffered only a small scratch. Mecklenburg County officials have since initiated legal proceedings to have the dogs euthanized. (The Mecklenburg Sun, Clarksville, VA, 2/1/17) 

The Armed Citizen® Extra
Early one Monday morning, an intruder forced entry through a rear door of a house, waking the woman inside. The resident armed herself with a handgun and confronted the trespasser, shooting and wounding him. The criminal was taken to a hospital and is under investigation for burglary. (Ventura County Star, Castaic, CA, 6/27/17)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives
July 1959
Estquio Banayat, co-owner of a Sacramento, Calif., grocery, was sweeping the floor when a gunman entered and demanded the money. Partner Damaso Gumangan sensed trouble and emerged from the living quarters in the rear with a cal. .32 pistol. One shot from the bandit went wild and the grocer fired, hitting the gunman in the shoulder. Police arrested the felon. (The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, CA)

Latest

Springfield Echelon Pro 01
Springfield Echelon Pro 01

Going Pro: Springfield Armory's Echelon Pro Comp

Springfield Armory has expanded its Echelon line of handguns with several new Echelon Pro Comp offerings, bringing a number of what the company calls "performance-oriented enhancements" to the platform.

Steel Yourselves—Metal is Back

These days, it’s safe to say that injection-molded polymer of some sort is the most prevalent material from which to construct a pistol frame, but lately, that trend seems to be reversing. Metal is back.

NRA-ILA Names National Shooting Sports Foundation Official Partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour

This sponsorship through NSSF’s Protect Liberty PAC puts the firearms industry trade association on the road through Election Day.

Ori-gun-i: The ZEV Technologies FDP Carbine

The American art of folding polymer and steel into a working firearm reaches what might be its zenith with the Zev Technologies/Magpul FDP.

Study Finds Correlation Between Firearm Training & Safe Gun Storage

In a survey of more than 1,000 firearm owners across the nation, researchers found that firearm training increases responsible gun storage at a dramatic rate.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 12, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.